Winter Workshop: Camp Cooking Pizza Feb. 16
For our next Winter Workshop, on Thurs., Feb. 16, at 6:00 p.m. Outdoor Chattanooga’s Philip Grymes and Trevor Childress will show people how to cook pizza using various types of camp stoves and camping cookware. The workshop is free and happens at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. For more information, drop an email or call (423) 643-6888.

Winter Workshop: Preserving Your Land in a Conservation Trust Feb. 23
Tricia King, of the Land Trust for TN, will talk about the benefits of preserving private land through a conservation easement in our next Winter Workshop, Thurs., Feb. 23, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park.  King will explain the step-by-step process of donating a conservation easement as well as the potential financial benefits to a landowner under the tax code.  A conservation easement is a legal agreement that ensures a property will be managed in perpetuity according to the landowner’s desires, and can qualify the landowner for tax benefits. The workshop is suitable for the general public, as well as estate planners, accountants and attorneys. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

Bike Chattanooga – Join Now!
The City of Chattanooga’s Bike Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System is still offering discounted yearly memberships. Get your membership now, so you’re ahead of the game when the system launches in April!

More Events
S-S-Snakes Alive at CA&NC Feb. 18
The Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center will host an introduction to their resident snakes on Sat., Feb. 18, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Naturalist Kyle Waggener will offer a program on the corn, king, garter and pine snake. Snake skins, reptile eggs and other artifacts will be available for viewing. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and kids ages 4-11, and includes access to the CA&NC property for the day. To register, call (423) 821-1160 ext. 0.

Southern 6 Trail Race and Kid K Feb. 19
Southern Adventist University, Wild Trails and Rock/Creek will host the Southern Six Trail Race on Sun., Feb. 19 on the SAU campus Biology Trail. Runners ages 12 and over are invited to participate in the 6k trail race and compete for prizes. Children age 12 and under can participate in the Kid K. Proceeds from the event will go directly to SAU’s Outdoor Leadership program and will help with development and maintenance of the Biology Trail.

Hunting for Hellbenders at S. Chick Feb. 22
The S. Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance will welcome Rick Jackson and David Hedrick of the Chattanooga Zoo on Wed., Feb. 22, 12 noon at Wally’s Restaurant in East Ridge. Jackson and Hedrick will talk about hellbender salamanders and their presence in S. Chickamauga Creek.  All interested members of the public are welcome. For more information, email Sandy Kurtz.

Mtn. Bike Demo Day March 4
East Ridge Bicycles will host a free mountain bike demo day on Sun., Mar. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Enterprise South Nature Park. Giant Bicycles will bring a trailer of bikes for people to try for free. Helmets and drivers licenses are required and riders who want clipless pedals should bring them. For additional information please call East Ridge Bicycles at (423) 894-9122.

Wilderness First Responder Course May 7-16, Recertification May 20-22 at SAU
The Southern Adventist University Outdoor Leadership program will offer a Wilderness First Responder certification May 7-16, 2012. Taught by the Wilderness Medicine Institute, the 10 day course offers outdoor professionals the skills to handle medical emergencies in remote environments. A recertification class will be taught May 20-22. Registration is required for both courses. To learn more, email Ann Reynolds or call (423) 236-2023.

Adventures
Family Camp and Hike Mar. 16-18
The Chattanooga Trekkers family hiking group will host a camping and hiking weekend at Ft. Mtn. State Park in GA, Fri.-Sun., Mar. 16-18. Park amenities include a lake for paddling, hiking trails and a developed campground. Anyone who wishes to participate must register through the Chattanooga Trekkers and also reserve a camp site through GA State Parks. For more information, email or call Valerie Radu at (423) 503-2318.

News
Sewanee Coal Seam Mining Ban Introduced in State Senate
Senator Andy Berke (Chattanooga) and Rep. Mike MacDonald (Portland, TN) have filed a bill with the TN State Legislature to ban surface mining on the Sewanee coal seam, a huge, highly toxic seam of coal that extends along the Cumberland Plateau, including Walden's Ridge, from KY to AL.

Chattanooga Bicycle Coordinator Pugliese Reelected to APBP Board
Outdoor Chattanooga’s Bicycle Coordinator, Philip Pugliese, has been reelected to the board of the Association of Bicycle and Pedestrian Professionals (APBP). He will serve as the board’s treasurer. Congrats, Phil!

Hunter Education Classes in Feb. and March
The TN Wildlife Resources Agency will offer Hunter Education courses in Feb. and March. There are several classes in the Chattanooga area.

Web Hit of the Week
Bikenomics. Read the whole series.
Last Week’s Web Hit
Learn about local places to play, shop and explore on Your Outdoor Family.

Upcoming Events . . .
March
1    Winter Workshop: Intro. to Backpacking the Cumberland Trail
8    Winter Workshop: Intro. to Climbing for Beginners
9    CaribbeanSEA Beach Party
10  Scout Day at CA&NC
      Booker T. Duathlon and Mtn. Bike Race
11  Booker T. XC Mtn. Bike Race
13  No Rapid Learning Roll Practice
15  Winter Workshop: Bicycle Riding for PreSchoolers
17  Durham Mine Site and Fossil Dig at CA&NC
22  Winter Workshop: Fitting your Bicycle to You
24  Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race
      Rear in Gear 5K
29  Winter Workshop: Build a Rain Barrel
30-04/01 Marie Humphreys Spring Wildflower Festival & Native Plant Sale
31  65 Roses 5K Race/Walk

April
7    Out Run the Police
13  Run at the Mill 5K and 1/2 Marathon
14  Battlefield Bash
21  City of Chattanooga Spring Fest: Outdoor Expo and Gear Swap
      Chickamauga Chase 15K and 5K
21-22 Sequatchie Valley Fest
28/29 Volunteer 80 Race to the Smokies

May
2-4  Tennessee Bike Summit
5     3State/3Mountain Challenge
19   Scenic City Trail Marathon and ½ Marathon
       Children’s Hospital Dragon Boat Festival
       Chattanooga Tour de Cure
       IHN 5K Run and Walk to End Homelessness
20   Scenic City Triathlon

June
1-3  TN Valley Canoe Club Paddle School
2     National Trails Day
10-15 TWRA’s TN Outdoor Youth Summit
15-17 Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race